New York Liberty Announces Return of Liberty Legends

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The Liberty takes the court before its inaugural game on June 21, 1997 against the Sparks.

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New York, NY – June 1, 2006 — The New York Liberty will welcome back original team members Teresa Weatherspoon, Rebecca Lobo, Sue Wicks, and Kym Hampton in special pre-game festivities at Saturday’s home opener versus the Los Angeles Sparks. The game, to be televised live on ABC at 4:00 PM (EST), is a re-match of the first WNBA game held 10 seasons ago in Los Angeles.

“It is a pleasure to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the WNBA and the New York Liberty with four players who helped firmly establish our team and the league, and provided our fans with moments they will remember forever,” said Carol Blazejowski, Liberty Senior Vice President and General Manager. “We acknowledge their contributions to professional women’s basketball as the Liberty look back with great pride and ahead with continued enthusiasm.”

Weatherspoon and Lobo were assigned to the WNBA’s New York franchise in January of 1997 in the league’s first player allocation. In seven seasons with the Liberty, Weatherspoon was a five time All-Star, the Defensive Player of the Year on two occasions, and the Liberty’s all-time leader in assists. From 1997-2001, Lobo averaged 9.5 points and 5.7 rebounds in 75 games with the team. In the 1997 WNBA Elite Draft, the Liberty selected Hampton as the fourth overall pick; she posted 9.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in 90 games over the course of three seasons before announcing her retirement. In the inaugural WNBA Draft, New York selected Wicks with the sixth overall pick. During her tenure with the team, Wicks posted 4.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in 182 games.

Liberty individual game tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, on-line at www.nyliberty.com, by phone at (877) WNBA-TIX and all Ticketmaster outlets. Ticket prices for the 2006 Liberty season are $10.00, $29.50, $39.50, $54.50 and $69.50. For ticket orders of 20 or more, please call the New York Liberty Group Sales Department at (212) 465-6080. In addition, the number to call for Liberty Ticket Plans is (212) 465-6073.